<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper discusses the concept of nothing (nothingness) from the point of logic and ontology (metaphysics). It is argued that the category of nothing as a denial of being is subjected to various interpretations. In particular, this thesis concerns the concept of negation as used in metaphysics. Since the Leibniz question ‘Why is there something rather than nothing?’ and the principle of sufficient reason is frequently connected with the status of nothing, their analysis is important for the problem in question. Appendix contains a short critical analysis of Heidegger’s famous statement Das Nichts nichtet.</p></abstract>

This paper discusses the concept of nothing (nothingness) from the point of logic and ontology (metaphysics). It is argued that the category of nothing as a denial of being is subjected to various interpretations. In particular, this thesis concerns the concept of negation as used in metaphysics. Since the Leibniz question ‘Why is there something rather than nothing?’ and the principle of sufficient reason is frequently connected with the status of nothing, their analysis is important for the problem in question. Appendix contains a short critical analysis of Heidegger’s famous statement Das Nichts nichtet.

Something, nothing and Leibniz’s question. negation in logic and metaphysics

Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

This paper discusses the concept of nothing (nothingness) from the point of logic and ontology (metaphysics). It is argued that the category of nothing as a...

Something, nothing and Leibniz’s question. negation in logic and metaphysics

Published Online: Nov 16, 2018

Page range: 175 - 190

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/slgr-2018-0023

Keywords
nothingness, creatio ex nihilo), non-being, Principle of Sufficient Reason, Leibniz, Heidegger, Das Nichts nichtet, negation

© 2018 Jan Woleński, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Something, nothing and Leibniz’s question. negation in logic and metaphysics

Published Online: Nov 16, 2018

Page range: 175 - 190

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/slgr-2018-0023

Keywordsnothingness, creatio ex nihilo), non-being, Principle of Sufficient Reason, Leibniz, Heidegger, Das Nichts nichtet, negation

© 2018 Jan Woleński, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
nothingness, creatio ex nihilo), non-being, Principle of Sufficient Reason, Leibniz, Heidegger, Das Nichts nichtet, negation